3.5.3 Cold War Era and Regional Conflicts (1948–1991)

• What was the Cold War period of geopolitical tension between?

  United States and Soviet Union
• What was the United States' Middle East policy during the Cold War?

  Support pro-Western regimes
• The United States' ideology during the Cold War was capitalist and democratic
• Major conflicts involving the United States during the Cold War included the Korean War and the Vietnam War
• Chronological order of key events in the Arab-Israeli Wars:

  1️⃣ 1948 Arab-Israeli War

  2️⃣ 1956 Suez Crisis

  3️⃣ 1967 Six-Day War

  4️⃣ 1973 Yom Kippur War
• The 1973 Yom Kippur War ended in a stalemate
• The United States' ideology during the Cold War was capitalist and democratic
• What was the geopolitical aim of the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

  Expand communist influence
• What was the position of the United States regarding the creation of Israel in 1948?

  Supported the creation
• Match the Arab-Israeli Wars with their outcomes and superpower involvement:

  1948 Arab-Israeli War ↔️ Israel established, US supported Israel, Soviet Union backed Arab states

  1956 Suez Crisis ↔️ Egypt retained control of Suez Canal, US opposed invasion, Soviet Union backed Egypt

  1967 Six-Day War ↔️ Israel captured significant territory, US supported Israel, Soviet Union aided Arab states

  1973 Yom Kippur War ↔️ Stalemate, peace negotiations, US mediated ceasefire, Soviet Union backed Arab states
• The United States supported Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War because it was a pro-Western regime.
• The United States aimed to secure a strategic ally
• The Arab-Israeli Wars were influenced by the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union
• Match the Arab-Israeli War with its superpower involvement:

  1948 Arab-Israeli War ↔️ US supported Israel, Soviet Union backed Arab states

  1956 Suez Crisis ↔️ US opposed invasion, Soviet Union backed Egypt

  1967 Six-Day War ↔️ US supported Israel, Soviet Union aided Arab states

  1973 Yom Kippur War ↔️ US mediated ceasefire, Soviet Union backed Arab states
• The Soviet Union supported Arab states to expand its influence in the Middle East.


  True
• The United States supported Iraq to weaken Iran
• The United States supported the Afghan mujahideen to weaken Soviet influence
• The United States supported the pro-Soviet communist government in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion.

  False
• The end of the Cold War was primarily caused by economic stagnation and political reforms within the Soviet Union.

  True
• Match the ideology with the superpower:

  United States ↔️ Capitalist, democratic

  Soviet Union ↔️ Communist, authoritarian
• The United States supported the creation of Israel to secure a strategic ally
• Match the regional conflict with the superpower involvement:

  Arab-Israeli Wars ↔️ US supported Israel, USSR backed Arab states

  Iran-Iraq War ↔️ US supported Iraq, USSR aided Iran

  Soviet-Afghan War ↔️ US supported mujahideen
• The Iran-Iraq War was heavily influenced by the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union
• What was the Iran-Iraq War influenced by during the Cold War era?

  Cold War rivalry
• Match the superpower with its position during the Iran-Iraq War:

  United States ↔️ Supported Iraq

  Soviet Union ↔️ Supported Iran
• What was the primary goal of the Soviet Union in invading Afghanistan in 1979?

  Support a pro-Soviet government
• What were the main causes of the end of the Cold War?

  Economic stagnation and reforms
• The end of the Cold War led to increased regional stability in the Middle East.

  False
• Islamism seeks to establish Islamic states based on Sharia law.


  True
• What were the social consequences of the Arab-Israeli Wars during the Cold War era?

  Displacement and refugee crises
• How did the destruction of infrastructure impact the Middle East economy during the Cold War conflicts?

  Hampered economic recovery
• The Soviet Union aimed to expand communist influence and challenge US hegemony during the Cold War.

  True
• Why did the Cold War shape regional conflicts in the Middle East?

  Superpowers sought influence
• The 1956 Suez Crisis resulted in Egypt retaining control of the Suez Canal.


  True
• What was the Soviet Union's primary motivation for backing Arab states during the Cold War?

  Expand influence
• What was the Cold War a period of geopolitical tension between?

  United States and Soviet Union
• The Cold War rivalry in the Middle East shaped regional conflicts and power struggles.


  True
• The Soviet Union initially supported the creation of Israel but later opposed it.


  True
• Why did the United States support Israel in the Arab-Israeli Wars?

  Maintain a strategic ally
• What broader context influenced the establishment of Israel in 1948?

  The Cold War